Nkechinyere Ewa
Labour Party (LP) stalwart and former House of Representatives candidate, Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, has instituted a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, alleging sustained death threats from suspected political enforcers in Ebonyi State.
Ezeh, who contested the Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency seat in the 2023 elections, said the threats intensified following his public comments on governance issues in the state.
The suit, marked CV/4130/25, lists two individuals — Felix Okemini (a.k.a. Jango) and Sunday Ogbonnia (a.k.a. Bakassi) — as respondents, while the Inspector-General of Police is joined to ensure proper investigation and enforcement of court orders.
Citing Sections 33, 38, 39 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution, alongside the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Ezeh seeks a declaration that the alleged threats violate his rights to life, liberty, and freedom of expression.
In his affidavit, he said the threats have made it difficult for him to live without fear of harm, stressing that court intervention is needed to affirm the sanctity of his rights.
Ezeh said he chose legal action rather than confrontation, insisting no citizen should remain silent while their life or that of their family is threatened.
He noted that efforts at amicable settlement collapsed, adding that the intimidation reportedly escalates whenever he comments on political developments in Ebonyi State.
A hearing date for the suit is yet to be fixed, though his lawyers are seeking urgent protective orders. As of press time, neither the police nor the accused persons had issued any response to the allegations.